Romans 1:18-32; 3:10-20 – All Humanity Needs God’s Mercy
God can execute justice against sin as well as extend mercy to all sinners who accept Jesus’ salvation. We see this throughout the book of Revelation.
What is justice? Justice is the ethical idea that all people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law.
What is mercy? Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them. It means “price paid”.
The Bible tells us that God exercises justice and mercy. In Exodus 34:6-7 He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. But He doesn’t leave the guilty unpunished.
In John 3:16-18 He loved the world so much that He gave us His Son, Jesus so we would not perish but have eternal life. In 2 Peter 3:9 He is not slow in keeping His promises; He is patient not wanting anyone to perish, but wants all to repent.
I have received justice and mercy throughout my life. He has blessed me in so many ways they are too numerous to count. He gives me more good than I deserve. When I really think about it, I am so grateful and humbled. It makes me want to do better.
Humanity’s natural traits can be self-centered, selfish, deceitful, rebellious, wicked, evil, and sinful. Jeremiah 17:9 says our hearts are deceitful and beyond cure. Based on these traits we don’t deserve God’s mercy, but deserve His judgments. Psalm 51:4 tells us that we have sinned and have done evil in God’s sight and deserved to be judged by Him. Romans 3:23 tells us we all have sinned and fall short of His glory.
Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7 – Justice And Mercy Displayed in Old Testament.
God wanted to punish the Israelites when they worshiped the golden calf. When Moses saw what they were doing, he was so angry that he broke the stone tablets with God’s commands. But Moses interceded for them before God and God relented and showed justice and mercy. To punish them God commanded them to arm themselves and go through the camp to kill those who were involved in the idolatry. This was a lesser punishment and the people got what they deserved. This showed justice and mercy. God then gave Moses new stone tablets with His commands. This reminds us of God’s justice and mercy that was demonstrated by Jesus’ death on the cross.
Romans 5:6-11; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-10 – Justice And Mercy Displayed in New Testament.
Go perfectly expressed His justice and mercy despite our sinfulness and on-going transgressions at the cross. He sent His own Son, Jesus to die in our place showing justice and mercy by the cross. 1 Peter 2:22-25 – “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
What
should our response be? Our response to
God’s mercy should be to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God. This is an act of
worship. Also we should not be conformed
to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we are
pleasing to God. (Romans
12:1-2).
We ought to be humble recognizing we are sinners and not think more
highly of ourselves than others. (Luke
18:9-14). We should believe that God gives us eternal life
through His Son, Jesus. (1 John 1:5-10)
Next week we will study Revelation 17. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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